Find below some resources for teaching Romeo and Juliet as well as some topics for discussion.
Resources
Sailing Imagery
Review the sailing imagery used throughout the play to determine the purpose and significance.
(1) What does a sailor/pilot (of a ship) traditionally do? How might those roles apply to Romeo and his situation?
(2) Who is really the sailor/pilot? Who is the ship (bark)?
(3) How does Romeo feel about fate based on this metaphor?
In 1.4, Romeo says, I fear too early, for my mind misgives Some consequence yet hanging in the stars Shall bitterly begin his fearful date With this night's revels, and expire the term Of a despised life closed in my breast By some vile forfeit of untimely death. But he that hath the steerage of my course, Direct my sail. On, lusty gentlemen.
In 2.2, Romeo says, I am no pilot. Yet, wert thou as far As that vast shore washed with the farthest sea, I would adventure for such merchandise.
In 3.5, Capulet says, How now? A conduit, girl? What, still in tears Evermore showering? In one little body Thou counterfeit'st a bark, a sea, a wind, For still thy eyes, which I may call the sea, Do ebb and flow with tears. The bark they body is, Sailing in this salt flood. The winds thy sighs, Who, raging with thy tears, and they with them, Without a sudden calm will overset Thy tempest-tossed body.
Finally, in 5.3, Romeo says, Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavory guide. Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on The dashing rocks thy seasick, weary bark. Here's to my love!
Star/Celestial Imagery
Light & Dark Imagery
Other Imagery
Romeo and Juliet share a metaphor:
In 3.2, the anxious Juliet says, Oh, I have bought the mansion of a love, But not possessed it, and though I am sold, Not yet enjoyed.
In the following scene, the desperate Romeo says, O, tell me, Friar, tell me, In what vile part of this anatomy Doth my name lodge? Tell me, that I may sack The hatefulmansion.
(Also note that Romeo's plea alludes to 2.2 when Juliet wonders aloud about Romeo's name.)
Romeo and Juliet (General Discussion)
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Find below some resources for teaching Romeo and Juliet as well as some topics for discussion.
Resources
Sailing Imagery
Review the sailing imagery used throughout the play to determine the purpose and significance.
(1) What does a sailor/pilot (of a ship) traditionally do? How might those roles apply to Romeo and his situation?
(2) Who is really the sailor/pilot? Who is the ship (bark)?
(3) How does Romeo feel about fate based on this metaphor?
In 1.4, Romeo says,
I fear too early, for my mind misgives
Some consequence yet hanging in the stars
Shall bitterly begin his fearful date
With this night's revels, and expire the term
Of a despised life closed in my breast
By some vile forfeit of untimely death.
But he that hath the steerage of my course,
Direct my sail. On, lusty gentlemen.
In 2.2, Romeo says,
I am no pilot. Yet, wert thou as far
As that vast shore washed with the farthest sea,
I would adventure for such merchandise.
In 3.5, Capulet says,
How now? A conduit, girl? What, still in tears
Evermore showering? In one little body
Thou counterfeit'st a bark, a sea, a wind,
For still thy eyes, which I may call the sea,
Do ebb and flow with tears. The bark they body is,
Sailing in this salt flood. The winds thy sighs,
Who, raging with thy tears, and they with them,
Without a sudden calm will overset
Thy tempest-tossed body.
Finally, in 5.3, Romeo says,
Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavory guide.
Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on
The dashing rocks thy seasick, weary bark.
Here's to my love!
Star/Celestial Imagery
Light & Dark Imagery
Other Imagery
Romeo and Juliet share a metaphor:
In 3.2, the anxious Juliet says,
Oh, I have bought the mansion of a love,
But not possessed it, and though I am sold,
Not yet enjoyed.
In the following scene, the desperate Romeo says,
O, tell me, Friar, tell me,
In what vile part of this anatomy
Doth my name lodge? Tell me, that I may sack
The hateful mansion.
(Also note that Romeo's plea alludes to 2.2 when Juliet wonders aloud about Romeo's name.)